palomaeatsyarn

Saturday, May 29, 2010

I can barely believe I spun this Merino Tencel roving from KnittyAndColor (colorway is Serpent's Tail). I struggled a bit at first, but then it started drafting with almost no help from my hands. And then plied perfectly into a 2 ply heavy fingering weight. Can not wait to finish this and knit it into a lovely shawl, but my next day of spinning was a dud. Broke more fiber than spun and made a lot of thick- thin slubby mess. Today has gone better, so I should soon be on my way. Did both spinning and plying on the Hansen miniSpinner, which I love.The pics above show the original roving and the results of my day of awesome spinning mojo. I wonder if this yarn got nervous as it saw the white feet of the Yarn Eater approaching? Fortunately, Paloma had just finished a Fancy Feast breakfast and was satisfied by inserting her paws into my photos.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

At first this picture seems kind of cute, but then makes me wonder why there are weights in my living room. I haven't lifted weights in years, not even to remove these to the garage or Goodwill.However, I have been busy with my minispinner, making some 2-ply out of Crown Mountain Farm's Corriedale Pencil roving. Have not tried to figure out how many yards were made or what weight this yarn is yet. Am still just excited that I was able to ply it this well.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

This is what it looks like in my neighborhood during the day.This is what it looked like today at Mary Jane Falls.This is what it looks like here at night.And this is the yarn I am creating with my HansenCrafts miniSpinner!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Paloma is named for the peaceful dove but in reality, is a naughty yarn eater. She was born in the late Spring of 2005 in Iowa. This humble barn kitten and runt of the litter conned me into to adopting her at a few weeks of age. Appearing to be small and sickly, she soon showed her true colors after arrival at my apartment. Regularly beating up her larger and fluffier brother (Paco, seen here with her in a rare moment of peace) became a regular hobby. Other hobbies include following the dog around (Paloma has always loved dogs), eating yarn and books (she prefers hardcover, but softcover will do), escaping from the house, knocking things of shelves, knocking paintings off walls, chewing on wires and whining at the bedroom door while I try to sleep. If let into the bedroom at night, she usually dozes off until ~ 4am. She then gets up and starts one of the previously mentioned activities. Her favorite talent is her ability to close doors, usually in order to lock herself and a sibling into a room while I am at work on vacation. This usually occurs in a room that does not contain a litterbox.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Woke up today to overcast skies so decided to do a desert hike at Calico Basin. By the time I got there, the sun was in full force and I had forgotten to put sunscreen on my arms. Fortunately, I had yet another Herbivore mini shawl with me (this one in Malabrigo sock yarn). So when I wasn't putting it on rocks for pictures, I put it over my arms for sunblock. Daphne loved chasing lizards but soon got tired of the warm weather, so it was a short hike but pretty hike for us today. Spring is amazing here; there are spring flowers on the ground and mountains with snow in the distance.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Just got home from sock camp (will try to get some posts about that soon) and immediately took Daphne out for a evening hike at Lone Mountain. Lots of flowers blooming there now. I am glad to be back home with the pets!Have been knitting like crazy lately, and not just on socks. I'm enjoying a couple of lightweight colorful projects in the spirit of springtime. I am finally making a Multnomah (pattern by Kate Flagg), using some beautiful handspun Sock Hop yarn from Crown Mountain Farms. This yarn is really making me want to do more spinning! I am also making yet another Herbivore (pattern by Stephen West), this time in Alchemy Bamboo. Both of these are relaxing knits, and the yarns are great color therapy.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Am now in Washington for sock camp; first class will be tomorrow morning with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I spent the day hanging out, knitting and practicing with my spindle. Tonight was registration, some social knitting (and drinking) and a bit of shopping. Did I get some Blue Moon sock yarn while the camp store was open? Of course.